Alfred Adler’s Theories on Birth Order

Birth Order

·         First theorist to consider siblings as an early influence on personality development

·         Adler considered birth-order a heuristic to better understand people – it shouldn’t be taken as fact

Birth Order: Only Child

·         More likely than others to be pampered

·         Parents of the only child are more likely to take special care –sometimes-filled care – of their first born

·         If the parents are abusive or neglectful, on the other hand, the only child will have to bear the abuse alone

Birth Order: First Born

·         Begins life as an only child and focus of all family attention

·         Second child arrives and “dethrones” the first born, forcing a battle for their lost position

·         Some become disobedient and rebellious, others sullen and withdrawn

·         Often precocious

·         Tend to be relatively solitary and more conservation than siblings

Birth order: Second Born

·         Often opposite of the first born

·         Competitive, constantly trying to surpass the older child

·         They often succeed, but many feel as if the race is never done

·         Other “middle” children will tend to be similar to the second child, although each may focus on a different “competitor”

Birth Order: Middle Child

·         Often feels squeezed out, overlooked

·         Plays the role of mediator, peacemaker in family conflict

·         Generally have a high need for superiority

·         When third of four children, often aligns with first born

Birth Order: Youngest

·         Likely to be the most pampered in a family with other children

·         Never dethroned

·         Youngest may feel incredible inferiority, with everyone older and therefore superior

·         But may also feel driven to surpass all of their older siblings